RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Maj. Gen. Lyles announced today that the Indiana National Guard will join a new partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.
The National Guard’s enduring program pairs American states and foreign nations to enhance mutual relationships and promote defense and security cooperation objectives established by the United States and its partners.
“This state partnership is a vital part to fostering strategic relationships between the U.S. and our counterparts in the Middle East.” said Gov. Holcomb. “I’m pleased to be on the ground in Saudi Arabia to personally convey our support of this partnership and know this commitment will advance relations across other key areas of shared interest.”
The National Guard’s experience in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, domestic operations, and overseas operations will support the U.S. government’s ongoing diplomatic, development, and security efforts to achieve shared goals.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment is a testament to improving the lives of its people and increasing its capacity to address security threats within the region.
“I am proud to join forces as we forge this new partnership to advance shared mutual interests of the National Guard and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Maj. Gen. Lyles. “The National Guard will benefit from this partnership of increased readiness and shared mutual interests that promote training and will work to develop a collective partnership to improve security objectives both locally and nationally.”
For more than thirty years, the State Partnership Program has successfully built relationships with 96 partnerships and 106 nations worldwide.
Through the partnership program, the National Guard conducts military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals but also leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements spanning military, government, economic, and social spheres.
Gov. Holcomb and Maj. Gen. Lyles are in Saudi Arabia to announce this new partnership.
